Marine Spatial Planning in Practice

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is an area-based management framework that provides a means for improving decision-making as it relates to the use of marine resources and space. As human activities continue to exert increasing pressures on marine ecosystems, MSP is gaining international recognition as a valuable approach that integrates, rather than polarizes, environmental, social, and economic interests to achieve multiple management objectives.

STAP, in collaboration with UNEP and UNEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and guided by Panel Member Jakob Granit, is undertaking a cross-cutting advisory task to reflect available global experience of implementing MSP. The partnership undertaking this task have invited all relevant GEF focal points, and a wide range of national and regional agencies, in liaison with the CBD Secretariat, to contribute their experience through a survey. The findings of this survey will be analysed in an expert workshop in Cambridge, UK, from 6-8 May. The expected outputs will include lessons on the challenges of successfully making the transition from planning to implementation, lessons on the analysis of the governance context and identification of capacity building needs by context and MSP type.

To view a recent publication about MSP that was produced by the STAP and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), click here.